In D’Iberville in D’Iberville Miss., Julius Bridges went to DICK’S Sporting Goods looking for baseball gear. His team lost their equipment and their facility in the EF-2 Tornado that ravaged Moss Point in Miss. on June 19,
Oswago Harrer, the Superintendent of Schools in Oswago had instructed him to provide quotes on all items. Bridges was able to determine the prices of equipment on Bridges’ list after meeting DICK’S store manager Robbie Black. Black mentioned the sports grant and the two began a discussion about the devastation caused by the hurricane to the team’s supply.
Bridges, speaking to Mississippi Free Press, said: “I told him that it would be an amazing thing to receive, and I’d do whatever it takes to obtain it.”
Bridges submitted the part of the form that was for the school, but then forgot all about it after a few months. He listened to a voicemail at 6:30 pm on a October night. Black.
Black replied, “Coach Bridges we’ve got you,”
DICK’S Sports Goods, through the 75for75 Sports Matter Foundation, awarded $75,000 to the athletic department of the district. The foundation, in celebration of DICK’S Sporting Goods’s 75th Anniversary, is providing grants to 75 youth sport organizations around the nation. This program raises awareness of underfunded sport programs, and provides funds for youth athletic and sports facilities.
We Lost Everything
Moss Point plans to use the money for softball and baseball fields. About 3 pm on the 19th of June, a tornado hit Moss Point. It appeared to land first near Moss Point high school. Storm caused significant damage to city and church buildings, as well as homes. The roof of the gymnasium at the high school was ripped off by the storm. The storm struck the gymnasium where 15 students and 10 teachers were taking shelter. It also tore the press box off the stadium, and damaged the softball/baseball facility.
Bridges stated, “We’ve lost everything.” Bridges said that all of the company’s equipment was stored at the facility. When the storm hit, the roof was blown off. “It damaged everything.”
Dugouts, as well as other structures must be rebuilt. Bridges stated that the money will be used for other repairs, and possibly some upgrades.
Bridges stated that “one thing we want to see is an enclosed facility.” I think that $75,000 will help to fund the various things the baseball and softball program lacks.
Moss Point Superintendent Oswago Harrer said that the award demonstrates the resilience and dedication of his community as well as the staff.
Oswago, in a statement to Mississippi Free Press dated Dec. 1, said that Coach Bridges was great at establishing connections. I am grateful to DICK’S Sporting Goods, but Coach Bridges’ work in pursuing the grant is also something that makes me proud.
There was nothing but rubble
Moss Point, Mississippi is now the second program in Mississippi to be awarded funds by DICK’S for rebuilding after tornadoes. Amory’s High School softball team received a grant of $75,000 this year for the replacement and reconstruction of fields.
Jessica Seger, the head softball coach at Amory High School and other members of the community came to the athletic complex to inspect the damages after the EF-3 Tornado that ripped through the city March 24, armed with flashlights. Amory High was directly affected by the tornado.
Seger was horrified by the destruction. The fence and brick dugouts at the softball field were destroyed. At the baseball fields, the concession stand and the equipment closet had been shredded with the contents scattered across the road. Debris and building fragments were scattered across the playing field.
Seger stated, “There were no buildings, only rubble.” The only thing that was still in perfect condition is the scoreboard we bought a year before the tornado struck.
The moment of the storm’s arrival was captured on CCTV inside the school. Roofs were ripped off the buildings and other sports facilities suffered severe damage. Community members came together to clear the debris from the building and make repairs. Tyler Roberts, DICK’S store manager in Tupelo and his family offered to assist with cleanup. But Roberts was looking for more.
Roberts explained, “My wife started to talk to me about what we could do to help in our community.” But at the time, everything was so new and chaotic that it was hard to tell what people needed.
Roberts learned about the 75for75 program when he arrived at his job. Roberts, along with local Community Marketing manager Amber Sawyer, reached out to DICK’S Foundation and obtained a grant.
Roberts stated, “We were awarded $75,000. We coordinated and received the award within 16 days after the tornado hit the ground.”
Seger was contacted by the Sports Matter Foundation to create a video on these grants. DICK’S presented Seger the award after touring the facility and meeting with the team.
Seger replied, “I did not know what to do.” I was incredibly humbled by Tyler’s efforts to find someone from all over the nation to take video footage of us. We were also a lucky recipient. It was a great blessing to our program.
Seger says the tragedy has given her team more grit. The team reached the third round in the softball post-season without a field of their own before being eliminated by the eventual champions. The team may not have been able to host home games for this year, but the grant money will be used to replace uniforms, equipment and other supplies after the softball field has been rebuilt. Roberts says she is pleased that DICK’S will help Amory’s tight-knit communities.
Roberts stated, “This is definitely the highlight of my career here at DICK’S Sporting Goods.” It’s amazing when you stop to think about it. He continued, “There are many smaller communities in this area and sports have a big impact on the lives of children.” It teaches so many things to them, it gets them active and it teaches teamwork. They get to enjoy and be excited about it, and they feel the sense of belonging you experience when you are part of a group. It’s so deeply ingrained into the fabric of our local communities.
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